Table top structure



n 2% 6, T/w/ 7 m l. 0 VSM/f fnw .2 J@ 1 mw. e :wm u 7., w m@ mmm R L .Pe Aww. EF au United States Patent O TABLE TOP STRUCTURE Julius A. Mahr, Minneapolis, Minn., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Harold R. Nielsen, St. Paul, Minn.

riginal application February 5, 1951, Serial No. 209,416, now Patent No. 2,689,158, dated September 14, 1954. Divided and this application June 9, 1952, Serial No. 292,484

3 Claims. (Cl. 311-106) My present invention relates to improvements in table top structures and is a division of my pending application entitled Folding Table, Toggle Braces, Latches and Aligner, filed February 5, 1951, under Serial Number 209,416, now Patent No. 2,689,158, issued September 14, 1954.

An object of this invention is to provide a new and useful improvement in table top structure.

Another object is to provide a new and useful im provement in table top structure of combined angular and skeleton frame sections with underlying cross members for supporting a table top.

Other objects of this invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the drawing.

To the above end, generally stated, the invention consists of the novel devices and combination of devices hereinafter described and defined in the claims.

In the accompanying drawing, which illustrates the invention, like characters indicate like parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a table embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the table top structure with one of the end legs folded;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view, on an enlarged scale, partly in side elevation and partly in longitudinal vertical section with one of the end legs folded; and

Figs. 4 and 5 are fragmentary detail views in section taken on the lines 4-4 of 5-5 of Fig. 1, respectively, on an enlarged scale.

The folding table shown, which embodies the invention, is long, rectangular and commercially known as a banquet table. Such tables are generally used in groups of various formation such as in endwise alignment, L or U-shaped.

The table top structure which is the subject-matter of this application, includes an upper frame 6, a subframe 7 and a skeleton wood frame 8, each of which is long and rectangular.

The upper frame 6 is formed of angle bars with one of their flanges 9 turned inwardly and their other flanges lil turned upwardly. The sub-frame 7 is formed of channel bars having wide webs 11 that are vertically disposed. The flanges 13 of the sub-frame channel bars are turned inwardly and the lower flanges 12 of these channel bars are considerably narrower than the upper anges 13 thereof.

The upper frame 6 overlies the sub-frame 7 with its lower flanges 9 resting on the upper flanges 13 of said sub-frame 7 and rigidly secured thereto by rivets or spot welding, as indicated at 14. It will be noted that the faces of the upturned flanges 1l) of the upper frame 6, at each end of the table top structure, are flush with the webs 11 of the sub-frame 7. The purpose of this is to permit two of the tables to be brought into endwise abutting engagement with a tight joint therebetween. The upper frame 6, at each side of the table top structure, is slightly inset at 15 from the sub-frame 7 and the channel bars of said sub-frame 7 afford an apron 16 for the table top structure.

The skeleton frame 8 fits snugly within the upturned flanges 10 of the upper frame 6 and rests on the inturned lower flanges 9 of said upper frame. This skeleton frame 8 comprises longitudinal side members 17, end members 18, a central longitudinal member 19, a two-part central transverse member 20 and two two-part transverse outer members 21 and inner members 22 between the central transverse member 20 and each end member 18. The skeleton frame 8 is spaced below the top of the flange 10 of upper frame 6.

A table top member 23 is fitted within the upturned flange 10 of the upper frame 6, rests on the skeleton frame 8, with its upper surface flush with the upper edges of the flanges 10 and with tight joints between said flanges and the edge portions of said table top. This table top member 23 may be a laminated or composition board or any other suitable material.

A narrow inverted channel bar 24 extends centrally and longitudinally under each member 21 and is fixed thereto, and a similar channel bar 25 is likewise secured to each member 22. The end portions of each channel bar 24-25 are downwardly offset, overlap the flanges 9 and are secured thereto by welding, as indicated at 26, see Fig. 5. The channel bars 24--25 are also secured to the transverse members 21 and 22, respectively, by screws 27.

At each end portion of the table top is: a pair of legs 28 rigidly connected by an intermediate cross tie bar 29. The legs 28, at their upper ends, are pivotefd to depending ears 30 fixed to the channel bars 24 on their under sides for inwardly folding movement within the apron 16.

Each pair of legs 28 is held in an upright or operative position by a toggle brace 31 pivoted at its outer end to ears 32 fixed to the cross tie bar 29 that connects the respective pair of legs 28. These toggle braces 31, at their inner ends, are pivoted to depending ears 33 fixed to the channel bars 25. Each toggle brace 31, when straight, holds the respective pair of legs 28 upright and at this time a latch 34, pivoted to said toggle brace at its elbow, holds the same from buckling.

By buckling the toggle braces 31, the legs 2:3 will be folded inwardly within the apron 16. The latches 34, when the legs 28 are folded, engage latch lugs 35 fixed to the under side of the skeleton frame 8 and hold said legs and toggle braces 31 entirely within the apron 16. When the legs 28 and toggle braces 31 are folded within the apron 16, a plurality of table top structures, similar to the one above described, may be stacked the one upon the other.

While there are herein disclosed but a limited number of embodiments of the structure, process and product of the invention herein presented, it is possible to produce still other embodiments without departing from the inventive concept herein disclosed, and it is desired, therefore, that only such limitations be imposed on the appended claims as are stated herein, or required by the prior art.

What I claim is:

1. A table top assembly comprising a frame structure including an inwardly directed flange extending along opposite sides of said structure and disposed between the upper and lower edges thereof, a cross member having its ends anchored beneath each side flange with adjacent regions of its upper surface substantially coplanar with the upper surface of each flange, a skeleton frame contained within the confines of said frame structure provided with side members of sufficient width to rest on each side flange and said cross member, and a table top member supported on said skeleton frame.

2. A table top assembly comprising a frame structure v including at each side thereof a channel member with an angle member superimposed thereon, the upper ange of said channel member and the horizontal `ange of said angle member confronting each other to form inwardly directed flange means, a plurality of cross members having offset ends anchored beneath the upper flange of said channel member, the degree of offset being suicient to maintain portions of said cross members which are adjacent said ange means substantially coplanar with the upper surface of said horizontal angle flanges, a skeleton frame contained Within the connes of said frame structure provided with side members of sufcient width to rest on each horizontal angle ange and said portions of said cross members, and a table top member supported on said skeleton frame. v

3. A table top assembly comprising a rst rectangular frame section constructed of angle members, a second frame section supported by said first rectangular frame section, the ends of said frame sections being coplanar and the sides of said second frame being inset from the sides of said rst frame section, a skeleton frame section supported within the confines of said second frame section, a plurality of supporting cross members coextensive with saidskeleton frame and a table top member supported on said skeleton frame.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITEDv STATES PATENTS 

